Reborn As An Extra : I'm gonna mess up everything

"Match start!" the referee announced before quickly stepping back to give the fighters space. 

Ethan adjusted his stance, sliding his right foot backward while raising his sword to his shoulder. The tip of his blade pointed directly at Esdeath, steady and unwavering. 

Slash… Splash… Splash… 

A brilliant golden aura exploded from his body, spreading across the arena like a warm wave of sunlight. It was as if a powerful river of life itself had burst forth, washing over the spectators. 

The air felt lighter. 

The tension in the audience's hearts melted away. 

A soothing warmth filled the arena, making everyone feel safe—protected. 

Lilith narrowed her eyes, watching closely. "Righteous Aura… also called the Radiance of Hope," she muttered under her breath. "An aura that represents hope itself." 

Lortell, however, was far from calm. 

Her face was pale, her forehead damp with cold sweat. Her fingers curled into the fabric of her dress as worry clawed at her chest. 

"Only one in a hundred thousand can possess a Righteous Aura," she thought, her mind racing with panic. 

She clenched her fists tightly. "I told you not to enter the competition! What if you get hurt? My heart aches just thinking about it!" 

Her stomach twisted with unease, and she instinctively wanted to interfere, to stop this match before it was too late. 

But she couldn't. 

Esdeath had made it very clear—no one was allowed to interfere. 

"If anyone dares to stop the match, I'll be angry," Esdeath had warned her. 

Lortell had no choice but to watch. 

To suffer through the agony of waiting. 

To pray that Esdeath would be okay. 

*** 

In the arena, Esdeath remained completely unfazed. 

She didn't summon any aura. She didn't take a defensive stance. 

Instead, she simply raised her right hand. 

With her index and middle fingers extended, her ring and pinky curled inward, and her thumb sticking up, she made the shape of a gun with her palm—aiming it straight at Ethan. 

A smirk curled her lips. 

"You should feel honored," she said casually. "I'm pointing my gun at you." 

Ethan scoffed, unimpressed. "Hands don't shoot," he said, his voice firm. 

BANG! 

Esdeath mimicked the sound of a gunshot with her mouth. 

Ethan's instincts kicked in instantly. His body reacted before his mind could process the ridiculousness of the situation. 

A shimmering green shield materialized in front of him, blocking the supposed "attack." 

Then— 

Laughter. 

Loud, carefree, echoing laughter filled the arena. 

"Hahahahaha…" 

Esdeath grinned, her sharp red eyes glinting with mischief. 

"You just said hands don't shoot," she teased. "So why did you put up a defense?"